'Aoa

'Aoa
Village
'Aoa
Coordinates: 14°15′56″S 170°35′2″W / 14.26556°S 170.58389°W / -14.26556; -170.58389Coordinates: 14°15′56″S 170°35′2″W / 14.26556°S 170.58389°W / -14.26556; -170.58389
Country  United States
Territory  American Samoa
Area
 • Total 0.66 sq mi (1.72 km2)
Population (2012)
 • Total 474
 • Density 710/sq mi (280/km2)

'Aoa is a village on the north-east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa.[1] It is located on the north coast, close to the island's eastern tip, at a narrowing of the island and is connected by road with Amouli on the south coast. Aoa is the oldest site on Tutuila to yield ceramics. Located in a large U-shaped valley on the northeast coast of the island, Aoa sits on a wide, sandy beach fronted by a large, deep bay. Fresh water is supplied by a steady river which runs through the village.[2]

Over 40 ancient star mounds have been discovered in the bush near ‘Aoa. Village chiefs believe these elevated stone platforms were used in the ancient chiefly sport of pigeon-snaring. Archeologists believe they served as military lookouts due to their placement at strategic vantage points, perhaps as a military lookout for enemy canoes. Besides the star mounds, lepita pottery has been discovered in ‘Aoa. Some estimates date some of the potshards discovered here to 2000 BCE, while most of the scientific community dates them to 500 BCE. The Department of Tourism operated a camp site here complete with showers and barbecue facilities. The campsite was however closed as of 1994.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 210. ISBN 9780896103399.
  2. ↑ Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 36. ISBN 9780896103399.
  3. ↑ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 178. ISBN 9780864422255.
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